Page 41 of The Hard Hitter

What? Did I expect him to say he didn’t want me to date Todd? That he wanted me to be his girl?

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. He doesn’t want that, and neither do I, right?

I take a sip of wine, to hide the disappointment on my face.

“If you want to stay, that would be okay. Daisy knows you, and we could just tell her you’re a friend. I mean, I do, after all, plan to bring her to your parents’ barbecue.”

“That’s true.”

He goes through the channel until he finds some action flick starring Bruce Willis. “This good?”

“Perfect,” I say, and settle against him. As I melt into his warmth, it occurs to me just how perfect this is. Daisy asleep upstairs, Zander’s arm around me, making me feel safe and secure. Yeah, a girl could really get used to this.

I watch the movie, and my lids slowly drift shut, but a cry pulls me from my slumber. I blink my eyes open, take a second to orient myself as Zander shuffles beside me.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Daisy is awake. I need to check on her. She probably needs more medicine.”

“Let me help you.”

He hesitates for a second, then holds his hand out to me. He helps me from the sofa and I follow him up the stairs. I stand in the hall as he enters Daisy’s room.

“Hey kiddo,” he says, and my heart squeezes in my chest. He puts his hand to her forehead, and she wraps her arms around.

“Itchy, Daddy,” she says.

“Okay, do you want a bath?”

She shakes her head no.

“How about some of this cream Quinn gave us?” Daisy nods, and Zander says. “Do you remember, Sam?”

“I like Sam,” Daisy says.

“She’s here now. She’s going to help me take care of you.”

Daisy nods again. “Did she bring Mr. Giggles?”

“Not this time, but maybe next. Do you want to say hi to her?”

She nods, and Zander gesture me in.

Daisy laughs when I enter. “You’re wearing Daddy’s clothes,” she says.

“Isn’t that silly,” I tease her.

“You’re silly!”

I sit on the bed next to her, and Zander crosses the room and comes back with cotton balls. He removes the cap on the lotion, presses the cotton ball to the opening and shakes.

“Want me to help you with your nighty?” I ask, and Daisy lifts her arms. I gently peel it over her head, and Zander dabs her with the lotion.

“I think she’s still feverish,” he says. “Would you mind grabbing the thermometer, it’s in the bathroom.”

“Sure.” I go in search of the thermometer and find it in the bathroom drawer. Zander puts it in Daisy’s ear and presses a button. “Low grade,” he says. “How about one of those cherry-flavored chewables?”

“I’m thirsty.”

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